1. What Was Proposed
India’s ambitious Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program outlined a plan to acquire 114 fighter jets, with many to be produced domestically under the “Make in India” initiative. Early indications come from a Letter of Request (LoR) submitted by India—effectively a requirements document sent to France expressing interest in Dassault’s Rafale aircraft for this wider buy.
This LoR signals serious intent but does not mean a finalized deal exists. It marks the beginning of preliminary discussions—not the signing of a contract.
2. Why It’s Called an ‘Unfinished Deal’
The MRFA plan resurrects ambitions from the scrapped MMRCA tender—which initially proposed 126 jets with partial local production. That program was canceled, and instead India bought 36 Rafales off-the-shelf under a government-to-government deal in 2016. Now, the 114-jet MRFA is seen as “unfinished business”—a hope to fill that earlier gap.
3. Where Things Stand Now
The MRFA idea is still on the drawing board. India has formalized the naval Rafale deal (26 Rafale-M), signed in April 2025, with delivery by 2030. But there’s no report confirming that the 114-aircraft MRFA deal is finalized, nor has India issued an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) or gone to tender.
That said, recent media reports hint at renewed urgency: the IAF is actively pursuing a government-to-government deal with France for more Rafales under the MRFA—potentially a pathway for the 114 jets.
Summary Table
| Topic | Status Update |
|---|---|
| MRFA 114 Jets | Proposed via Letter of Request; not yet a signed contract. |
| Naval Rafale-M Deal | Signed in April 2025—26 jets for the Indian Navy, including Make in India production. |
| Core IAF Rafale Fleet | 36 jets delivered and fully operational under a 2016 inter-governmental agreement. |
| IAF’s Current Push | Actively seeking more Rafales through a new government-to-government deal amid regional threats and fleet shortages. |
| Make in India Requirement | Strong policy emphasis: India insists on significant local manufacturing and technology transfer for any new fighter acquisition. |
India’s Operational Rafale Fleet: What’s Up and Where
Indian Air Force (IAF)
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Total Jets in Service: 36 Rafale fighter jets, fully delivered by December 2022.
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Squadrons & Bases:
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No. 17 Squadron “Golden Arrows” — Based at Ambala AFS, in Haryana, covering India’s western airspace
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No. 101 Squadron “Falcons” — Located at Hasimara AFS, West Bengal, focusing on the eastern front.
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Indian Navy
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Naval Rafales on Order: 26 Rafale-M (naval variant) jets have been signed off in a deal in April 2025, to be operated from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Deliveries are expected between mid-2028 and 2030.
Summary Table
| Branch | Number of Rafales | Location/Squadron | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAF | 36 | Ambala (No. 17) Hasimara (No. 101) |
Fully operational |
| Navy | 26 (on order) | Aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant, Vikramaditya) | Deliveries by 2030 |
Final Word
There is no confirmed signed deal for 114 Rafale jets yet. India has expressed strong intent and begun official discussions via an LoR, but the actual procurement—especially under MRFA—has not been finalized. Meanwhile, the brand-new naval Rafale-M deal and renewed IAF pressure signal that the MRFA program is alive and shaping up.
